How to Incorporate a Vintage Ottoman into Your Living Space

Today, they are often used as footstools, coffee tables, or an alternative to a sofa. They are usually marketed and sold in coordination with other pieces of furniture, such as chairs.

Ottomans go underappreciated, but they are versatile in nature and design. Adding an ottoman to your living space can give you extra storage space and make a statement.

If you’re looking for a way to enhance your living space, don’t underestimate the power of a vintage ottoman. Continue reading below to find out more about tying your room together with this piece of furniture.

A Place to Rest Your Feet

This underappreciated piece of furniture is more than just a stool. Its list of uses goes on. The obvious use for an ottoman is as a footrest.

When you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is put your feet up and breathe. An ottoman is a perfect addition to any space for this reason.

Keep the Ottoman tradition alive with a decorative footstool. They come in a variety in shapes and sizes to fit any design and occasion.

You can find ottomans the size of a couch or as small as a child’s chair. Place an ottoman in front of your sofa or chair for a place to rest your feet while you relax after a long day.

This adds an extra layer of comfort to your space. You and your guests alike will enjoy this little accoutrement.

This use for the ottoman will never die out.

Add a Pop of Colour

They can be a great way to incorporate an accent colour into your space. You can add a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral living space.

Take a look at the artwork, walls, and fabric in your living space. Choose a colour for your ottoman that will compliment the other colours in your home.

Colour can be a bit of a tricky subject when it comes to design. Consult a colour wheel to find out which colours work best together.

For example, you may choose to use a triadic colour scheme. Triadic colour schemes use three colours that are evenly spaced out on the colour wheel.

That being said, don’t be afraid to go bold. This simple piece of furniture can have a profound impact on the design of a room.

An Ottoman Doubles as a Coffee Table

Exploit the versatility of your furniture pieces. Give your room an extra place to store magazines, drink trays, and more.

You can place it in the middle of the room or next to your sofa, depending on your desires.

If you plan to use your ottoman as a coffee table, you should stay away from fluffier designs. There are ottomans designed for this purpose. They will usually have a much more taught surface.

Place a tray on the ottoman and display your favourite flowers or diffuser scents.

If you’re fond of board games, you can sprawl the board out on the ottoman. Gather the family around and sit on the ground. This arrangement inspires a deeper level of bonding for those involved.

For large gatherings, this will keep the dining table free for those who wish to eat or sit around and drink.

This is also a great place for children to gather and play with toys and games.

Extra Seating for Larger Gatherings

If you often have guests over for dinner or other events, you know how important it is to have enough seating.

It’s happened to us all. We host a large gathering and find ourselves struggling to find seating for everyone. You scramble everywhere around the house to find something.

If you have an ottoman around, you can clear it off to give people a place to sit. Many modern designs do not include a back, but you can find some that do.

Pull out the ottoman when you are in need of extra seating. At the end of the night, tuck it back under a table to save space.

Add Some Visual Intrigue

Some furniture can start to feel too square. Add a bit of dimension to your living space with an ottoman.

Add a circular ottoman to an otherwise rectangular space.

Some ottomans can be pulled apart and rearranged into different shapes. These pieces of furniture add a deeper sense of fun and utility to the space.

Many homeowners and designers are beginning to use ottomans as a focal point in living spaces. In such a case, the ottoman would become the centre of attention.

You might choose a colour, design, or fabric that is a little more ostentatious. It can be more rustic and casual or more extravagant. This will depend on the mood you are trying to create.

It may seem a little unorthodox, but this approach comes with some interesting benefits.

The ottoman becomes a conversation piece. You may find your guests gawking at this unsuspecting piece of furniture. They may even wonder if they are allowed to sit on it.

You can think of the ottoman as a functional piece of art.

Once you choose an ottoman that you enjoy, you can build the rest of the room around it. Match your drapes to the ottoman. Hang Ottoman artwork on the wall.

Take this moment to get creative. The possibilities are endless when it comes to ottomans.

Extra Storage Down Below

Do you have extra blankets, pillows, and more you can’t seem to find a home for? Every living room needs a place to put items that aren’t used constantly.

Already, you’ve searched the internet inside and out for discreet storage ideas. Some ottomans are made with storage compartments.

That is, they have hinged lids that open up to reveal a hollowed out interior. These are like storage containers in disguise. You don’t have to worry about hiding ugly plastic containers.

They make a great addition to living rooms and bedrooms alike. Put an ottoman at the foot of the bed for extra storage and seating. Every member of the family has blankets and toys they need to hide away sometimes.

In general, furniture that doubles as storage space is always a beneficial addition.

A Bed for Your Furry Friends

Your four-legged companions deserve as much luxury as you do. A properly sized ottoman could serve as a great perch for them to spend their days.

Your cat may find her home at your feet at the end of every day. Your dog may take her afternoon nap on the ottoman. Your rat can scurry around under your supervision.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s hard enough to keep your furniture fresh and clean with children running around. Pets can make the effort even more difficult.